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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > War fiction > Second World War fiction
'This book's power lies in its depiction of civilians trying to
lead ordinary lives during the horror of war . . . It is shattering
stuff, but Rothmann is tender towards his characters and this book
is as memorable as his last.' The Times, 'Historical Fiction Book
of the Month' As the Second World War enters its final stages,
millions in Germany are forced from their homes by bombing,
compelled to seek shelter in the countryside where there are barely
the resources to feed them. Twelve-year-old Luisa, her mother, and
her older sister Billie have escaped the devastation of the city
for the relative safety of a dairy farm. But even here the power
struggles of the war play out: the family depend on the goodwill of
Luisa's brother-in-law, an SS officer, who in expectation of
payment turns his attention away from his wife and towards Billie.
Luisa immerses herself in books, but even she notices the Allied
bombers flying east above them, the gauntness of the prisoners at
the camp nearby, the disappearance of fresh-faced boys from the
milk shed - hastily shipped off to a war that's already lost.
Living on the farm teaches Luisa about life and death, but it's
man's capacity for violence that provides the ultimate lesson, that
robs her of her innocent ignorance. When, at a birthday
celebration, her worst fears are realized, Luisa collapses under
the weight of the inexplicable. Ralf Rothmann's previous novel, To
Die in Spring, described the horror of war and the damage done on
the battlefield. The God of that Summer tells the devastating story
of civilians caught up in the chaos of defeat, of events that might
lead a twelve-year-old child to justifiably say: 'I have
experienced everything.'
Bristol 1941 Having left her abusive husband for very good reasons,
Mary Anne Randall finds herself judged harshly by her friends and
neighbours, after courageously risking everything for a second
chance at happiness with Michael. With Michael away fighting Mary
Anne is less concerned by her tarnished reputation and focusses on
keeping her beloved children safe. But with the bombs beginning to
fall on Bristol, danger is all too close to home. Will Mary Anne
rise above her tarnished reputation and protect those she loves
from the uncertainty of a world at war? A sequel to A Wartime Wife.
Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A gripping saga and a storyline that will
keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another
heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all
saga fans.' Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of
factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and
choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin
Collier 'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then
look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller
An enchanting novel about fate, second chances, and hope, lost and
found, by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Last of the
Moon Girls. Soline Roussel is well schooled in the business of
happy endings. For generations her family has kept an exclusive
bridal salon in Paris, where magic is worked with needle and
thread. It's said that the bride who wears a Roussel gown is
guaranteed a lifetime of joy. But devastating losses during World
War II leave Soline's world and heart in ruins and her faith in
love shaken. She boxes up her memories, stowing them away, along
with her broken dreams, determined to forget. Decades later, while
coping with her own tragic loss, aspiring gallery owner Rory Grant
leases Soline's old property and discovers a box containing letters
and a vintage wedding dress, never worn. When Rory returns the
mementos, an unlikely friendship develops, and eerie parallels in
Rory's and Soline's lives begin to surface. It's clear that they
were destined to meet-and that Rory may hold the key to righting a
forty-year wrong and opening the door to shared healing and,
perhaps, a little magic.
'Gripping' Wall Street Journal ________________________ At first,
gunner Clarence Smoyer and his fellow crewmen in the legendary 3rd
Armored Division - 'Spearhead' - thought their tanks were
invincible. Then they met the German Panther, with a gun so
murderous it could shoot through one Sherman and into the next.
Soon a pattern emerged: the lead tank always gets hit. After seeing
his friends cut down breaching the West Wall and holding the line
in the Battle of the Bulge, Clarence and his crew are given a
weapon with the power to avenge their fallen brothers: the
Pershing, a state-of-the-art 'super tank', one of twenty in the
European theatre. But with it comes a harrowing new responsibility:
now they will spearhead every attack and, in doing so, will lead
the US Army into its largest urban battle of the war, the fight for
Cologne, the 'Fortress City' of Germany... 'Spearhead shimmers in
eclipsing moments of valor, luck and compassion.' Washington Times
A man is found dead in an escape tunnel in an Italian
prisoner-of-war camp. Did he die in an accidental collapse - or was
this murder? Captain Henry `Cuckoo' Goyles, master tunneller and
amateur detective, takes up the case. This classic locked-room
mystery with a closed circle of suspects is woven together with a
thrilling story of escape from the camp, as the Second World War
nears its endgame and the British prisoners prepare to flee into
the Italian countryside.
From the author of the runaway bestseller The Orphan’s Tale comes a remarkable story of friendship and courage centered around three women and a ring of female secret agents during World War II.
1946, Manhattan. One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.
Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a network of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal.
Vividly rendered and inspired by true events, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shines a light on the incredible heroics of the brave women of the war and weaves a mesmerizing tale of courage, sisterhood and the great strength of women to survive in the hardest of circumstances.
The brand NEW instalment in the bestselling Harpers Emporium series
by Rosie Clarke. Can the Harpers Girls look forward to some happy
times as a new dawn rises over London?Sally Harper is busy juggling
running London's Oxford Street Store Harpers and looking after her
beautiful new-born daughter, whilst husband Ben is overseas on
another dangerous mission, this time to rescue a friend in need.
Young Becky Stockbridge finds herself in a difficult situation
which could bring shame to her and her family. Will Becky, with the
help of her friends find her happy ever after and keep her secret?
Marion Jackson is blessed with a son as she eagerly awaits the
return of her husband Reggie. But all is not right when Reggie
returns. Is Marion strong enough to save her family from yet
another crisis? As the war clouds retreat and the victory bells
ring, tears and joy mingle with those of sadness as the world
counts the true toll of war and celebrates peace.
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